Man identified in Southfield undercover drug investigation shooting

Mar. 14, 2013

Written by

Free Press Staff Writer

Authorities have identified 17-year-old Austin Ryan Thomas as the person who was killed Tuesday afternoon during an undercover drug investigation in Southfield.

A police officer on the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team fired his gun at Thomas after the teen held a weapon to the officer’s head in a robbery attempt, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The shooting happened at the Cornerstone Village condominium complex off Greenfield Road, north of 9 Mile Road. Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said Thomas lived at the complex.

Thomas died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The officer involved in the shooting is a Madison Heights police officer. He has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit is investigating the shooting.